Orthopaedic Specialties

Paediatric

Children are very vulnerable to injury because they are more active than adults and often don’t take as much care as adults in how they move or go about daily activities.

The most common types of fractures among children are broken collarbones, legs, forearms, the wrist and fingers. Often, these breaks are caused through playing sport, falling from play equipment, riding bicycles, skateboards or scooters. Or it may be that a child falls forcefully to the ground simply while running around.

The good news is that young bones are more pliable and they are less likely to break. Most bone injuries simply involve the bone bending rather than a clean break. Treatment often involves keeping the child’s bones free of movement and protected through a cast.

If a child’s bone does break, it heals more quickly than an adult’s and often does not require surgery. Surgery may only be necessary when a child has a complete fracture, in which the bone breaks through the skin, to prevent infection or secondary complications.

Other common injuries that children may suffer include dislocated bones, often arising from placing too much pressure on their bone joints. If, for example, a parent pulls a toddler up too forcefully, this may cause their forearm bone to become dislocated. As with any injury, it is important to consult with a doctor as soon as possible to assess the damage and treatment options.

ASOS supports the family doctor–patient relationship. If you have any symptoms that might require treatment, consult your GP, who will refer you to an appropriate orthopaedic specialist.